The 2016 Ram 1500 uses shock absorbers, not struts, for its suspension. Both the front and rear suspension rely on separate dampers paired with coil springs rather than strut assemblies as the primary load-bearing component.
To understand what that means for a Ram 1500 owner or prospective buyer, it helps to look at how the truck’s suspension is arranged, what parts you’re likely to replace, and how the setup affects ride and handling. Below is a breakdown of the front and rear suspension designs, followed by practical maintenance considerations.
Front suspension details
The Ram 1500’s front suspension is designed for independent operation with coil springs and separate shock absorbers. This setup uses upper and lower control arms to keep wheels aligned and to manage motion, while the damping is provided by individual shocks rather than a strut that also bears the vehicle’s load.
Core components you’ll typically encounter on the front end include:
- Independent front suspension with coil springs
- Separate gas-charged shock absorbers (one per wheel)
- Upper and lower control arms
- No strut-type assembly acting as the primary load-bearing member
In practice, this means front-end maintenance focuses on the shocks and control arms, with the coil springs handling payload and ride height. The absence of a strut-as-load-bearing member is a notable difference from many passenger cars and some crossovers.
Rear suspension details
The rear of the 2016 Ram 1500 uses coil springs with dampers as part of a multi-link (often described as a five-link) arrangement. This configuration improves ride quality and load handling compared with traditional leaf-spring setups used on older pickups. Some trims also offer an optional air suspension that can adjust ride height and leveling, but the damping is still provided by external shocks.
Key rear-end components include:
- Rear coil springs
- Shocks positioned near the axle
- Five-link or multi-link geometry
- Optional Active-Level Air Suspension on certain trims
Overall, the Ram 1500’s rear end continues to rely on shocks for damping, paired with coil springs, rather than a single integrated strut assembly.
Maintenance and identification tips
Understanding the difference between shocks and struts helps when shopping for replacements or diagnosing ride issues. For the Ram 1500, you’ll be dealing with shocks at both ends, with no front struts serving as load-bearing components. Here are practical tips to keep in mind:
- Watch for common shock wear signs: oil leakage, excessive bouncing, or reduced ride quality.
- When replacing, specify shocks (not struts) to ensure you get the correct parts for a non-strut front end.
- If your Ram has optional air suspension, maintenance may include the air springs and control system in addition to the shocks.
Regular inspection of bushings, mounts, and connecting hardware is still important, as worn components can mimic bad shocks and affect ride and handling.
Summary
In short, a 2016 Ram 1500 uses shocks rather than struts in both the front and rear suspension. The front employs independent coil-spring geometry with separate dampers, while the rear uses coil springs with shocks in a multi-link layout. Optional air suspension was available on some trims, but it does not replace the presence of shock absorbers. This distinction matters for maintenance, part selection, and servicing expectations.